Explore the vast range of titles available.

1. Quantifying the complex spatial dynamics taking place at range edges is critical for understanding future distributions of species, yet very few systems have sufficient data or the spatial resolution to empirically test these dynamics. This paper reviews how data from a large-scale pest management programme have provided important contributions to the fields of population dynamics and invasion biology. 2. The invasion of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is well-documented from its introduction near Boston, Massachusetts USA in 1869 to its current extent of over 900,000 km² in Eastern North America. Over the past two decades, the USDA Forest Service Slow the Spread (STS) programme for managing the future spread of gypsy moth has produced unrivalled spatiotemporal data across the invasion front. 3. The STS programme annually deploys a grid of 60,000–100,000 pheromone-baited traps, currently extending from Minnesota to North Carolina. The data from this programme have provided the foundation for investigations of complex population dynamics and the ability to examine ecological hypotheses previously untestable outside of theoretical venues, particularly regarding invasive spread and Allee effects. 4. This system provides empirical data on the importance of long-distance dispersal and time-lags on population establishment and spatial spread. Studies showing high rates of spatiotemporal variation of the range edge, from rapid spread to border stasis and even retraction, highlight future opportunities to test mechanisms that influence both invasive and native species ranges. 5. The STS trap data have also created a unique opportunity to study low-density population dynamics and quantify Allee effects with empirical data. Notable contributions include evidence for spatiotemporal variation in Allee effects, demonstrating empirical links between Allee effects and spatial spread, and testing mechanisms of population persistence and growth rates at range edges. 6. There remain several outstanding questions in spatial ecology and population biology that can be tested within this system, such as the scaling of local ecological processes to large-scale dynamics across landscapes. The gypsy moth is an ideal model of how important ecological questions can be answered by thinking more broadly about monitoring data.

The range of acidophilous oak forest from Quercetea robori-petraeae Br-Bl. et Tx. ex Oberd. 1957 in Central Europe depends largely on the syntaxonomical concept used and is still provisional. The most continental association from this class occurring in Poland is Calamagrostio arundinaceae-Quercetum petraeae Hartm. 1934 Scam. et Pass. 1959. It is present in western and central Poland, but its eastern boundary is not well known. The aims of the study were to survey and document new patches of Calamagrostio-Quercetum in central Poland, to check the internal variation of the association and to summary the known distribution of it in lowlands of central-western and central Poland. 23 phytosociological relevés were made within new stands together with soil sampling. New relevé data was subjected to the numerical Wards classification together with acidophilous oak forests datasets from western Poland and oak-pine forests ones from eastern part of the Country. The new dataset was similar to Calamagrostio-Quercetum. Three subassociations were distinguished. Soil parameters and oak site index did not differ from acidophilous oak forest stands from other parts of Poland. The provisional range of Calamagrostio-Quercetum in central Poland was proposed to be moved by circa 60–90 km to the north-east (approximately as far as the Vistula river line) in order to include south-western part of Mazowsze.

To diversify energy crop production and improve its biodiversity and sustainability, there is currently a search for alternative energy crops. Many of the newly arising alternatives are perennial species such as the C4 grass miscanthus. The assessment of reliable data is a prerequisite for understanding the performance of these crops and developing corresponding management systems. However there is great uncertainty concerning research methodology for these crops. When data are collected from small plots of perennial crops, such as miscanthus or short rotation coppice plantations, a larger variability is expected than for cereals. A square meter cut, corresponding to harvest practice in cereals, is not sufficient for perennial C4 grasses and is not recommended for these species. The aim of this research was to identify an adequate size of sampling area for miscanthus to estimate the true biomass yield or quality. For this purpose, whole plots of 10‐ and 14‐year old miscanthus stands were divided into smaller subplots. These were used to calculate variances for various sizes of simulated plots. The variances for all traits in the experiments were rather high when the sampling area was smaller than 2 m². A cutting regime of more than 5.6 m² would be advisable, but an area of 3 m² is sufficient to eliminate approximately 90% of the variances and is therefore an adequate size of sampling area.

The distribution of species is limited by their ability to adapt to local environments. For adaptation by selection, genetic variability is crucial. As founder effects reduce genetic variability, extension of species' range borders is usually slow due to the reduced probability of successful colonization. However, the range limit might be extended by incorporating locally adapted genes. In western Palaearctic waterfrogs, interspecies hybrids show hemiclonal gametogenesis, are fertile and reproductively mimic one parental species. Genetic analysis, using allozyme loci, shows that they mediate gene exchange between the two parental species. Selection analysis provides evidence for local adaptation of single locus genotypes. This suggests that hybridogenesis presents a process which increases the number of neoform parental genotypes, exposing these to selection, and thereby revealing locally adapted genotypes which are essential for species range expansion.

Data on the population structure, morphometric features of plants and seeds, and some features of reproductive biology (fruit set and seed productivity) of Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Druce) Soó (Orchidaceae) on the northern border of the species distribution range (Komi Republic, northeast Russia) are presented. The seed size and flower number per inflorescence decrease significantly from south to north within the species range. In the Komi Republic, the seed productivity of Dactylorhiza fuchsii is lower compared to the southern parts of its range: one fruit contains, on average, 2900 ± 80 seeds, the average real seed productivity of the generative plant is 24 800 seeds. Despite the decrease in some indicators of reproductive success, the species forms quite large, well-renewing populations in the northern part of the areal.

We describe an approach to multi-species recovery planning and bio-regional biodiversity assessment that uses trait-based plant functional groups as the basis for developing threat/risk assessments for rare, threatened and 'of concern' species. Multi-variate methods were used to extract and test emergent groups, and additional information fields related to species life history and distributional data were added to develop a species-level information assessment matrix in spreadsheet format. Relating emergent trait-based plant functional groups to habitat was found to be the most informative approach for the subsequent development of management recommendations and landscape scale threat/risk assessment to inform recovery planning. Examples on the use of the identified groups in a management context are provided. These include higher and lower resource and data availability scenarios, and the role of selected traits in adding to or ameliorating threats and risk of extinction.

Performance related traits and habitat of the mantis shrimp Rissoides desmaresti are described for specimens collected from the Solent region on the south coast of England, close to the species northern border. Most animals were collected over sub tidal ‘mud’ and ‘sandy mud’ sediments, although new recruits and adults were also found on intertidal mudflats. Winter size-frequency distributions showed evidence of regular recruitment and growth to maturity. The reproductive condition of females was staged according to the colour of cement glands, which developed synchronously with ovaries. Females with ripe ovaries were observed between October and April and animals kept in aquaria deposited and brooded eggs in March and April. Results showed that regular recruitment and large breeding populations can occur close to range borders.

New records of the mantis shrimp, Rissoides desmaresti, are presented from broad scale regional environmental characterization surveys of the south coast, eastern English Channel, River Thames and the east coast regions of the UK. These records include the most northern sampling of this species off the coast of the UK, and emphasize the importance of large scale surveys in providing important ecological information on nationally scarce species.

Based on the long-term studies of the ecology of yellow wagtail in the Lower Ob region and the experimental results, factors determining the penetration of this species into the tundra of the Yamal Peninsula have been analyzed.

The report on catch of sexually mature male of rainbow trout Parasalmo mykiss is presented. The fish was caught on May 23, 2018 in the Matveevka River mouth (the tributary to the Botcha River, mainland coast of the Tatar Strait). Data on cases of catching of this species in the rivers in the basins of the seas of Japan and Okhotsk are generalized. Possible reasons for the penetration of P. mykiss into the Botcha River are discussed.